Tic-Tac-Toe fun!

Good Morning and I bet you have been saying…Where in the heck is Susan? Well, if I could give you a laundry list of the “life happens” than you would “get it” but for now…here I am – coming to you from Phuket, Thailand! The wonderful Mr. Itell made it but it was an are we going…are we not to get here!

I am totally confused with my body clock and that trip the past 24 hours has thrown John and I into a blank stare at each other saying….what time is it? At the end of this post I will share with you the 1st – “you can’t make this stuff up” on day #1 of our adventure!

We have a new week of FUN with the Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge and this is another great game to look at the board and then say – I’m gonna play! Today’s game board was designed by Rosanne Mulhern – a super talented SUD that just became a proud Grandmother for the 1st! Come on out and play!

For today’s card I chose to go for the center…Pearls. Die-cut & Butterfly. I think that we all can see how clean & simple this is…just the way that I like it.

This Butterfly Die has been around for a while but then again, you just cannot go wrong with a classic like this! The real star of the show and the real – “MAKE MY LIFE EASIER” was using the new product we have, the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets. They get the job done with total ease, again..just the way that I like it!

When you use this product all you do is adhere it to the paper you are going to be cutting with, today I am using the Color Theory DSP as I loved the subtle look and feel of the “yellow”for the challenge. Place your die on top…run it through Mr Big and presto – you have adhesive on the die!

I did something that many of you might think is silly….but then again I think you will “get it” – I cut out (2) of these butterflies and adhered them together as I wanted the underside of the wings to look the same when you hold the card in your hand. With the ease and precision of this product, it can be accomplished in a short amount of time!

I have blogged in the past about the stamp set that the sentiment came from – Pieces & Patterns and YEP, it’s a keeper as I admit…from a glance you might say – “This stamp set is just ok” but you know how I feel about small little images, they are great “fills in” for a project.

Here is a great picture to pin…clean, crisp and a classic! I used the simple technique of scoring some lines into the white cardstock to add a bit of texture when it is matted onto the black.

Just look at the detail of this butterfly…WOW! You can see how this beautiful image is all that is needed to create the simple focal point and backdrop to this card with the little icing on the cake – the pearls! Pearls are a girls best friend!!!

There you go! I hope that this little fluttering has brought you a smile. It was a super easy one to whip up and this is a great example of looking at the playing card and going for it works! One day I will attempt to use all of the options on the board but for today I am doing just what works!

Please go and have fun creating your own take of the sketch and then pop over to the Tic Tac Toe site and share…remember, everyone is a winner as you did the challenge! This IS the best way to find your style in cardmaking….we all have different comfort zones and there is not a right or wrong way….it is YOUR WAY!

Now to some….LIFE the past week….YIKES – where do I begin! Honestly, John and I were really not sure if we were going to be able to make it as it seemed like it wasn’t in the cards but we rallied together and we are here!

BAD NEWS….Oscar pulled his stitches out and I had a bit of a panic….GOOD NEWS…the biopsy of the mass came back and it was ok

BAD NEWS….One of our animal sitters fell through on Tuesday….GOOD NEWS….we had family friends that rallied together to help (I havestick it notes all over the barn) 😀 and I am just thankful for their help!

REALLY NEWS???….Mr Perfect – aka Milo somehow on 3 legs managed to tear a gapping hole on his tummy….vet said that he must have been caught on something (like a fence wire etc….)…GOOD NEWS…stitches and having a retreat at John’s Moms will keep him happy!

BAD NEWS…John was hooking up the truck to the trailer and thought that it was in park….nope – the truck backed into the gooseneck trailer and BOOM onto my truck…..GOOD NEWS…he was safe and no one was hurt (except my dear truck) and we were blessed to have a horse friend offer her truck and trailer for me to take Oscar to Virginia while we are gone!

BAD NEWS…John was not feeling well (which is super unusual for him) and went to the Doctors about a week ago…he had shingles….we really thought that this was going to keep us from going but he is over the worse…GOOD NEWS…we are here and he feels sooooooo much better!

BAD NEWS…after over 23 + hours of travel to get here….we are here but our luggage is not! I was sooooo tired and thought….REALLY??? We arrived at 1:30 a.m. their time but it took up until 3:00 to leave the airport…so you can see that our time-clock is out of whack! GOODNEWS….our fingers will be crossed that it will get here but until then….shopping we will go!

My sincere apologies for being MIA this week. I simply had to do what I needed to do. I am back and I am super thankful to be in your inbox and also to be able to be here in Thailand. Needless to say….this is a trip of a lifetime for us and without your support to my Simple Stampin’ fun, this would not have been possible!

I will be back tomorrow and I have some Simple Saturday fun for you…Ramsey style….pop back to see the fun!

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My dear friend, I knew life’s hurdles were keeping you busy. Yikes. My John had shingles last year, on his face and in his eye. He was so uncomfortable and such a trooper. So glad your John got it under control quickly. You know it is stress induced. Stress what stress? Ha!
Enjoy your trip can’t wait to see photos of you bathing a baby elephant.

Yikes – my John was very, very lucky as it was on his back and chest. We have now heard of people that have had it bad like that. The ironic thing was that his back was hurting and he thought he had Poison Ivy as he has been tearing a bunch of old huge bushes out of the yard….after many days of this – he decided to go to the doctors because of traveling…shabam – that was the day that he really got them bad and painful!

Thanks….it is good to be back. I like to think that there is always a good part to things that happen…Taking a trip this far and making sure that bases are covered was a challenge within itself! It IS great to be back in the saddle!

Oh my gosh Susan, you and John are superhuman to have made it there! I know it is so hard leaving especially when our furry family are not well. And what is with animal sitters?!?! Another friend had the same problem. Your amazing card says relax and enjoy! You both deserve to relax…. after you go shopping!!!

Hey you…are you ready to be the mail attraction tomorrow! So proud and happy that you did a card! You know me well enough….it was a act of “whatever” to make the moon and the stars line up with the animals!

Our “house sitter” that used to take care of the animals as well moved away and trust me, it’s hard to find the troops to take care of them all! We have a bunch of people throughout the time that are helping. You should have seen the calendar I made and color coded before we left!

Thank God! I was starting to think something terrible had happened. I was praying for you this morning then I saw your post. So glad you’re ok and away on an adventure. Enjoy and safe, happy travels to you and Mr Itell.

I will indeed! I just bought a new camera and i am excited to get to “know it” – I am actually up right now as John sleeps and wanted to check in with the blog but also I wanted to play with my camera! I will make you all feel like you are with me!

We are having fun…I just needed to put “focused blinders” on and get the things done that I needed to to leave – the animal sitter situation really through me for a loop….but we are here and John is feeling well! Miss you!

Thank you “Miss Mary” A sweet yet so simple card. The challenge has been a bunch of fun and I am so proud of Nicole and Felicia – they really have been working hard to get the word out! It is a ton of fun to play!!!

YIPPEE Cindy….my heart is happy that you are making a “flutter-by” (that is what me precious Hannah used to all them) – it is such a clean and simple card but the details of the butterfly are just beautiful!

Yikes and more yikes! Nancy and Mary Ann said it best! Just breathe and hopefully there is nothing in the air to cause more problems!

I am all a-flutter with your butterfly card. It is just sensational with the butterfly, the scoring, and mat. The envelope couldn’t be more perfect either.

I hope the worst is over for John with the shingles – they can be terribly nasty. Just enjoy yourselves and if you miss some events – count your blessings, you made it this far! You two deserve some down time. Hopefully the luggage makes it sooner than later. The furry kids will be fine they just did not want you to leave without them.

Hello my friend…I am sure that you have been thinking – what the heck???? John is doing well just at the burning phase but he is so happy to be here. Still no luggage but heck – we are here and relaxing! I was one tired puppy on the plane and news from home is that all is great!

Thanks for the wonderful card to CASE. Love what you do and that you share it with us. Now you are on some kind of adventure and I truly hope you and John dive in and enjoy it thoroughly. You work hard and worry (I am sure) in your everyday of others and their needs. Let go and relax. Have a wonderful “you” time!!

CASE AWAY Ann….it is a fast one that makes a smile! Thanks for your sweet and kind words. I truly have felt terrible but I needed to be and do what I needed to do! I am going to have fun and I will take lots of pictures….

This IS a trip that I must say….I was pinchin’ myself saying…are we really getting to go. John is very proud of me and we are excited to be here together. I love the way you think….the simple is so elegant & pretty! Great thing for all of us to remember!

Me too! John and I were both determined to go….if any I was the one saying perhaps we shouldn’t….he is such a wonderful man and he knew that I have worked very hard to earn it – I am just so thankful that he is feeling better!

Oh, what a story! But you’re there now … and with any luck your luggage is, too! Best wishes to John–and what an intrepid traveler he is! I had shingles about 5 yrs. ago & and had all I could do to return to work after 2 weeks, never mind travel around the world. I’d say, yes, he’s definitely a keeper! Have fun!

Well said…I always say….John is the BEST BLIND DATE I HAVE EVER BEEN ON (well, truth be told, he was the only one) but he is the KEEPER of all KEEPERS! No luck with luggage yet…hopefully today! Hugs my friend….I hope that we can still meet in August!

I hope your trip is all you wish for and that your luggage is already in hand. Thanks for the wonderful card to CASE and for keeping us in the loop. (I knew today was going to be a good day when I saw your post!) Safe travels and hugs to you both.

Awe thanks…..I know that I put way too much personal stuff on my blog but heck – I am what I am and I just love what I do. I feel so blessed to have so many enjoy my blog and I am the one that is super blessed….thank you for your thoughts…..

I cannot imagine all that you’ve been through but am so glad that you got to go–and it’s all the sweeter for all you’ve been through this week. I missed you but thought you were traveling! Hope your luggage catches up with you and there are NO more Bad News episodes! Have fun. Can’t wait to see pics!

Love this card, Susan. You and John are amaze me in getting all those bad news events taken care of before you left. I hope you have time to recuperate and enjoy this lovely trip. Good luck on getting your luggage today. I had missed your blogs but thought you were busy getting ready for the trip. I never imagined all that you could be going through. So glad it all worked out.

Susan, I love that graduated paper for the butterfly! Genius! But of course it is…it’s SUSAN!! 🙂 Perfect clean and simple card! I hope things settle down, your luggage shows up, everyone does what needs to be done for your animals and that you get a chance to breathe and relax on this trip! Hugs!!